As the close race for Virginia governor enters its final few weeks, two of the Republican Party's most prominent Latinos are coming to campaign with GOP candidate Ed Gillespie at a time when he is defending himself against criticism from immigrant groups who say his ads about MS-13 gang violence are racist and fear-mongering, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, the country's first elected Latina governor, will appear with Gillespie later this week, to be followed a few days later by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio joining him on the campaign trail.

"Senator Rubio and Governor Martinez are strong, conservative leaders, and I am thrilled to welcome each of them back to the Commonwealth in the closing weeks of this critically important election," Gillespie said through a spokesman.

The latest Monmouth University poll released last week showed that the two candidates are in a dead heat, with Gillespie at 48 percent and Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam at 47 percent.

The closeness of the race for the election on Nov. 7 also is reflected by the fact that none of the Monmouth surveys during the campaign have shown more than a 5 percentage-point advantage for either of the candidates.

In an attempt to counter the visit of the two Republicans, Latino groups announced they would broadcast Spanish-language radio ads in Virginia encouraging voters to support Northam, the Post reported.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Gillespie, but there are no apparent plans for the president to campaign with him. Gillespie has tried to make minimal mention of the president, as Trump has approval ratings below 40 percent in the state.

However, Vice President Mike Pence did campaign with Gillespie.

Among the prominent Democrats stumping for Northam have been both former President Barack Obama and his Vice President Joe Biden.

As the close race for Virginia governor enters its final few weeks, two of the Republican Party's most prominent Latinos are coming to campaign with GOP candidate Ed Gillespie at a time when he is defending himself against criticism from immigrant groups who say his ads...